Crisis in the Alliance? Tension in the Japan-South Korea Relationship and Implications for US Foreign Policy

Panelists: Celeste Arrington (George Washington University)
Gi-Wook Shin (Stanford University)
Yuki Tatsumi (Stimson Center)
Dan Slater (University of Michigan)

Sponsor: Korea Foundation

Cosponsors: UM Center for Japanese Studies, UM International Institute, UM Nam Center for Korean Studies

Abstract:
The relationship between Japan and South Korea has often been fraught with tensions reflecting their complicated history going back centuries. In the modern era, Japan’s colonization of Korea and its legacy have marred the bilateral relationship despite their shared values as the two most advanced democracies in the region and their status as the most important allies of the U.S. in East Asia. In the last couple of years, the tension has reached a boiling point as the two countries began to discard various agreements in trade, security, and other areas. Meanwhile, the US government sat on the sidelines for the most part, seeming to play a less proactive role than in the past. In the context of trade conflict with China, nuclear developments in North Korea, and growing assertiveness of Russia in the region, further deterioration of Japan-South Korea relations would be detrimental not only to the two countries but also to the U.S. and other players in the Asia-Pacific region. In this panel discussion, experts of the region will offer their views on the current tensions in the region and their implications for the regional politics and U.S. foreign policy.

Mission of the Korea Foundation:
Since its inception in 1991, The Korea Foundation aims to connect people to people and serve as a bridge between Korea and the global community through a diverse array of academic and cultural programs and activities.
As a lead public diplomacy institution of Korea, the Korea Foundation has over the past two decades tried to explore timely avenues to reach out general public by organizing insightful lectures and intellectual events on regional as well as global issues that are the focus of public attention.